Improved adjustable handcuff



UNITED STATES o. o. PHELPs, oE NEW YORK, N. Y.

lMPROVED ADJUSTABLE HANDCUFF.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 56,463, dated July 17, 1866.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, O. G. PHELPS, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Adjustable llandcuffs andShackles; and I do hereby describe and ascertain my said improvements as follows, referring to the drawing, which shows a sectional view of the same.

Heretofore handcuffs have been made consistiug of a segment-bar connected with a permanent radial bar so curved as to form a sect-ion of a handcuff, the Apoint of the center of radiation being a joint that connected another curved bar therewith, which had a mortise through it for the segment-bar to pass through. In these particulars my improvement is like said previous device. The bolt of the lock being formed of a part of the spring and inclined, the lock was made insecure and easily picked.

My improvements are to remedy these defects and render the handcui' more secure, lighter, and more compact, while retaining all its efficiency.

It is constructed as follows: The segmentpiece a has recesses or notches l on the iuner or concave side next the Wrist, and, the lock is located in a recess between the seg ment and the center joint, b, in the movable arm c, the portion f the movablearm beyond the mortise through which the segment passes being only just large enough for strength and rounded off, so as to afford no projection for prying olf the handcnff, and, the catches being on the concave side next the wrist, prevents the insertion of anything to spring the bolt in that direction.

As a further security, I form my lock of a radial spring-bolt, actuated by a spring that forms no part thereof. This bolt e is forced outward in a radial line by a spring, f, there being a light spiral spring, g, to retract it when the spring j' is forced back by the key.

By this construction and arrangement of the parts, bringing the lock into direct contact with the wrist and compacting the parts, I add greatly to the security of the handcuff and improve its construction and lighten it very considerably, while increasing its strength.

I do not claim placing the lock upon the inside of the bow or long section a but What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isy The spring f, spiral spring g, and sliding bolt c, arranged so that said bolt shall catch into notches on the inner or concave side of the bow or long section a, substantially as described. l

O. C. PHELPS.

Witnesses:

J. J. GREENOUGH, JOHN WILD. 

